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Home / Entertainment

Marvel stars' epic gesture for 17-year-old super fan battling cancer

NZ Herald
2 Sep, 2018 01:40 AM3 mins to read

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Marvel's superheroes have teamed up in real life for an amazing cause. Photos / Getty Images

Marvel's superheroes have teamed up in real life for an amazing cause. Photos / Getty Images

The actors behind Marvel's biggest superheroes have teamed up in a heartwarming bid to brighten the day of a young fan with cancer.

Led by Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, a host of Marvel actors including Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth have answered a social media plea to get in touch with 17-year-old Aussie Josh Rigby.

His mum Donna Rigby asked them to send words of encouragement to her terminally ill son "while we still have him with us."

Josh has been battling leukemia since he was five and was also diagnosed with glioblastoma at 15. It is the same form of brain cancer that Senator John McCain died from, according to the family's GoFundMe page.

Reynolds, who referred to himself as "Uncle Deadpool", was the first to reply, telling the teen: "You have more courage and more strength in your pinky finger than any superhero does in their entire body."

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Such a special man with a huge heart thank you @VancityReynolds josh loves you so much for brightening up his days. Everyone please let’s get more @chrishemsworth @RobertDowneyJr @MarkRuffalo @MargotRobbie @TheRock pic.twitter.com/7FulT1Zh1P

— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 21, 2018

He then got in touch with his fellow Marvel heroes, who soon followed suit.

Chris Evans jokingly gave Josh a hard time for liking Deadpool more than Captain America, while Chris Pratt added: "I think real heroes are young people like you have to face challenges and do so with the bravery... that you do."

Amazing beautiful man. Please support josh with more videos from celebrities please. @CharlizeAfrica @SamuelLJackson @RobertDowneyJr @MarkRuffalo @MargotRobbie @chrishemsworth @TheRock @JonahHill pic.twitter.com/Hpk8uvL9YR

— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 21, 2018

The celeb that really made Josh's day was fellow Aussie Chris Hemsworth - Josh's family posted the Thor star's video to social media saying: "When josh saw you come up on screen at his fundraiser he yelled out "F*** YEAH!"...thanks for putting a smile on joshys face."

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The videos were reportedly sent directly to the family, who later shared them on social media.

Massive thanks to @RealHughJackman for putting a smile on my brave sons face, what a legend pic.twitter.com/gEmxQ7OqVU

— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 15, 2018

Awesome stuff thank you so much @TomHolland1996 please everyone let’s get more to brighten josh’s days up please @chrishemsworth @RobertDowneyJr @MarkRuffalo @MargotRobbie @TheSlyStallone @SamuelLJackson @DrakeBell @AnthonyHopkins @MarvelStudios @TheRock @JonahHill @amyschumer pic.twitter.com/apQ5IlfiYC

— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 21, 2018

Ok guys now we need more messages of support for my hero please. @RobertDowneyJr @MargotRobbie @chrishemsworth @SamuelLJackson @TheSlyStallone @MarkRuffalo and anyone else you may have any contacts with please pic.twitter.com/UIPsPab9De

— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 20, 2018

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